Buffalo, NY – The American Diabetes Association (ADA) today presented its Raising Dollars Award to the Seneca Nation of Indians Health Team. The Nation became involved with the ADA in 2000 as advocates and team members for the America’s Walk for Diabetes and recently formed a team for the WinterWalk for Diabetes.

“The Nation has been the top fundraising team two years in a row, raising almost $6000 for this year’s America’s Walk for Diabetes and totally more than $20,000 to fight diabetes,” said Cronan Long, ADA Executive Director. “They have consistently had a team of 30 or more members, each year bringing on new members, encouraging their family and friends to get involved. The Nation has become a driving force in our local efforts.”

Today diabetes is one of the two top health problems affecting the Seneca Nation of Indians. In fact, diabetes affects 50 percent of all Native Americans versus six percent of the country’s general population. One in two adults in the Seneca Nation has diabetes, affecting its young people at earlier ages. The Seneca Nation has a growing commitment in fighting the problem of diabetes. The team members travel together by bus from Seneca Nation Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories to Williamsville to participate in events.

Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr. in October 2004 announced the establishment of the Seneca Nation of Indians Diabetes Foundation to address this increasingly challenging health problem within the Nation. The Foundation has set a goal to raise a minimum of $250,000 in private funds in its first year to provide easier access for Nation members to kidney screenings, dialysis treatment and adolescent testing and develop early detection, prevention and treatment programs in the Nation. The Diabetes Foundation will also fund research at the national level.

“Our goal is not to duplicate what is already being done,” said President Snyder.  “We need to do more.”

The Nation will also adopt Awakening the Spirit, a national ADA established prevention and control program rooted in Native American history and designed to meet the needs of Native American communities.

Contact: Rebekah Mingo, ADA, 835-0274 ext. 3706
Susan Asquith, Travers Collins & Company 842-2222